Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•1h

Since you are based in Mumbai and want a scooter with wide tyres as well as ABS to handle Mumbai's slippery and shoddily-made cement roads, the option that should be at the forefront of your shopping list is the TVS Ntorq 150. The bigger Ntorq has a 100-section tyre at the front and a 110-section hoop at the rear, which should easily be able to cope with most of the bad roads Mumbai will throw at you. Its brakes are strong and come with the safety of a single-channel ABS, which meets your requirements. While options like the Hero Xoom 160 and Yamaha Aerox 155 come with bigger 14-inch wheels and even wider tyres, these scooters are nowhere close to the Ntorq 150 when it comes to seating and ride comfort, which is a serious factor on Mumbai's bumpy roads, especially if you're going to use the scooter daily. Take a test ride of the bigger Ntorq before you make your purchase to verify whether or not its the right fit for you.

Autocar India

•1h

With a Rs. 12 lakh cap, mostly city use and the odd highway trip, comfort first, the Hyundai Venue fits your brief best. It is easy to drive and park, and tackles bumps well, taking the sting out of daily commutes. Cabin insulation is good for this price, which helps on longer runs too.Your budget means you have to choose between features and power. The base 1.2-litre petrol engine is fine for city duties but feels underwhelming out on the highway. The 1.0-litre turbo-powered Venue is punchier and nicer to drive but also pricier. The DCT auto gearbox on the Venue Turbo drives the price further up, and is just out of your budget. If you are not bothered by high-end features, you could get the Skoda Kylaq AT in a low trim. It's a great compact SUV to drive, and you'll value its solid build on long highway runs.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•1h

The Kia Sonet is the better pick of the two compact SUVs. It's got the more refined engine, slicker gearbox and generally more polished driving experience than the Nexon. What also pushes the Sonet's case is its interior, which comes across as more premium with greater attention to detail and a higher level of fit and finish. Your budget will get you the fully-loaded Sonet, which is really well equipped. A very large boot is another Sonet highlight. The Sonet does feel firm in its ride comfort.The Tata Nexon has its strengths too. It feels tough, especially on bad patches of road. There's a bit more room at the back too though the sloping window line takes away from the sense of space. Further, the Nexon has started showing its age now. If you want something altogether newer, the Hyundai Venue diesel manual is an option to consider. It's spacious, refined and packs in new-age features.

Kia Sonet

Tata Nexon

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•2h

Mostly city runs with the family and the odd highway trip on a Rs. 7-12 lakh budget points straight to the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXi petrol as the best fit. It is easy to drive in traffic, has a light steering and a smooth petrol engine. Inside, it gives real 6-7 seat flexibility, rear AC vents, and enough features in the ZXi variant to ease daily use. Running costs and service are among the lowest, parts are easy to find, and it delivers sensible fuel use for your low monthly driving.Know the trade-offs: the third row suits kids or short adults, and with full load it feels more relaxed than fast on the highway. Cabin feel is functional rather than premium.If you want a plusher look and captain seats while keeping similar running costs, look for a Maruti Suzuki XL6 within budget. If you can stretch to the top of your range, a Kia Carens petrol offers more features and road presence. Overall, the Ertiga lines up best for practical, spacious, and easy city family use.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Kia Carens

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Autocar India

•2h

The Kia Seltos is the better pick. It is a generation newer than the Creta currently on sale, and comes with the benefits of a larger body, roomier cabin, better refinement, as well as the promise of better safety. The Seltos is a well put together package and feels richer than a like-priced Hyundai Creta. Do note, the next-gen Hyundai Creta goes on sale by early 2027 and will offer the same strengths as the Kia. If you are not in a rush to buy a new SUV, we'd suggest you wait for the new Creta and take a call on the right one for you then. In case you need to buy one soon, go for the Seltos. It gives you more for your buck.

Kia Seltos